“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” Walter Cronkite

Why Are Republicans Scared Of Talking About Donald Trump?

June 21, 2016

Mark Leibovich in the New York Times Magazine paints a most troubling picture for the Republican Party. When was the last time elected officials could not–and would not–mention their nominee’s name or even wish to speak about their top ballot holder?

To a comical extent, top Republicans willed themselves invisible when I reached out to them for this article, fearing, not incorrectly, that the conversation would turn to Trump. This included some of the most typically quotable Republicans, including former Trump challengers like Graham (“He’s sorta had his fill talking about Trump,” a spokesman emailed), Perry (“Thanks for thinking of him”) and Ted Cruz (“Not great timing on our end”); the previous nominee Mitt Romney (“You are kind to think of me,” he wrote); Trump stalwarts like Chris Christie (“We are going to take a pass this time”); Trump-averse Republican governors like Charlie Baker of Massachusetts (“The governor won’t be available”); and senators like Mike Lee, of Utah (“Senator Lee would love to talk to you about the state of the G.O.P. and conservatism in general. We are free anytime after Nov 8.”).